LEBANON
Since June 1955
Since June 2021, enter into force in July 2022
Since June 2021, enter into force in July 2022
Pillar Public procurement of ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Exclusion from public procurement
Lebanon Law No. 1/1955 on Israel Boycott
القانون الصادر في 23 حزيران 1955: مقاطعة اسرائيل
Public Procurement Law No. 244/2021
قانون الشراء العام في لبنان 244/2021
القانون الصادر في 23 حزيران 1955: مقاطعة اسرائيل
Public Procurement Law No. 244/2021
قانون الشراء العام في لبنان 244/2021
Art. 1 of the Law on Israel Boycott stipulates that any natural or legal person is prohibited from concluding, either directly or through an intermediary, an agreement with entities or individuals residing in Israel or acting for its benefit, where the subject matter of such agreement concerns commercial dealings, financial transactions, or any other form of transaction whatsoever. Under Art. 7.I.1.i of the Public Procurement Law, foreign bidders are required to submit a statement issued by the Ministry of Economy and Trade attesting to compliance with the provisions of the Law on Israel Boycott.
Coverage Horizontal
LEBANON
Since July 2021, last amended in March 2024
Pillar Public procurement of ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Other limitations on foreign participation in public procurement
Public Procurement Law No. 244/2021
قانون الشراء العام في لبنان 244/2021
قانون الشراء العام في لبنان 244/2021
According to Art. 16 of the Public Procurement Law, bids offering goods or services of domestic origin may receive a preference margin of 10% over bids involving foreign goods or services.
Coverage Horizontal
LEBANON
Reported in 2018, last reported in 2024
Pillar Public procurement of ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Other limitations on foreign participation in public procurement
Lack of transparency in public tenders
Lebanon’s tendering processes are reportedly characterised by limited transparency, leading private companies to exercise caution when participating in public procurement. Evidence suggests that public institutions often circumvent regulations intended to guarantee full and open competition by dividing procurement requirements into smaller contracts that remain below agency procurement thresholds. Consequently, Lebanese government entities frequently resort to direct procurement procedures that follow inconsistent rules and often lack formal competitive bidding. While the Public Procurement Management Administration (PPMA) is generally regarded as transparent, risks of corruption persist within the tendering processes and among the ministries responsible for their implementation.
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250402205415/https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-investment-climate-statements/lebanon/
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250208104935/https://unctad.org/system/files/official-document/diaepcb2017d11_en.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250413210716/https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2022/08/public-procurement-in-lebanon_7f464721/b4285df1-en.pdf
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LEBANON
N/A
Pillar Public procurement of ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Signatory of the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) with coverage of the most relevant services sectors (CPC 752, 754, 84)
Lack of participation in the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA)
Lebanon is not a party to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA). In fact, the country is not a member of the WTO.
Coverage Horizontal
LEBANON
Since August 2001
Since June 1955
Since June 1955
Pillar Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in sectors relevant to digital trade |
Indicator Maximum foreign equity share
Law No. 360 on Investment
قانون تشجيع الاستثمارات رقم 360
Lebanon Law No. 1/1955 on Israel Boycott
القانون الصادر في 23 حزيران 1955: مقاطعة اسرائيل
قانون تشجيع الاستثمارات رقم 360
Lebanon Law No. 1/1955 on Israel Boycott
القانون الصادر في 23 حزيران 1955: مقاطعة اسرائيل
Although an investment framework exists under Law No. 360 of 16 August 2001, complemented by Decrees No. 9311 and No. 9326 of 21 December 2002, it primarily serves to define the mandate of the Investment Development Authority of Lebanon (IDAL) and to provide incentives in priority sectors. It is reported that there are no foreign ownership restrictions in sectors relevant to digital trade. However, Law No. 1 of 1955 on the Israel Boycott prohibits foreign ownership in all sectors by Israeli citizens or companies.
According to Art. 1 of Law No. 1 of 1955, it is prohibited for any natural or legal person to enter into an agreement, either directly or through an intermediary, with entities or individuals residing in Israel, holding Israeli nationality, or acting on behalf of or for the benefit of Israel, when such agreements concern commercial transactions, financial operations, or any other dealings of any kind.
According to Art. 1 of Law No. 1 of 1955, it is prohibited for any natural or legal person to enter into an agreement, either directly or through an intermediary, with entities or individuals residing in Israel, holding Israeli nationality, or acting on behalf of or for the benefit of Israel, when such agreements concern commercial transactions, financial operations, or any other dealings of any kind.
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250912092605/http://investinlebanon.gov.lb/Content/uploads/IDAL_-_Law_360.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250915091304/http://77.42.251.205/LawView.aspx?opt=view&LawID=178846
- https://web.archive.org/web/20251012104511/https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/files/Press/Reports/2025NTE.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250208104935/https://unctad.org/system/files/official-document/diaepcb2017d11_en.pdf
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LEBANON
Reported in 2022, last reported in 2025
Pillar Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in sectors relevant to digital trade |
Indicator Maximum foreign equity share
Reported restrictions on investment in state-owned telecoms
The Lebanese government retains several state-owned monopolies within the telecommunications sector. The state-owned enterprise Ogero owns and operates all fixed-line telecommunications services in Lebanon, while the two mobile and internet service providers, Touch and Alfa, are likewise under state ownership. In 2002, Lebanon enacted Law No. 431 to provide for the privatisation of the telecommunications sector; however, this legislation has yet to be implemented.
Coverage Telecommunications sector
LEBANON
Since August 2000
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Indicator Practical or legal restrictions related to the application process for patents
Law No. 240/2000 of 7 August 2000, on Patents
قانون رقم 240/2000 بتاريخ 7 أغسطس 2000 بشأن براءات الاختراع
قانون رقم 240/2000 بتاريخ 7 أغسطس 2000 بشأن براءات الاختراع
Art. 8.1.b of the Patent Law stipulates that, where the patent applicant is neither a Lebanese national nor a resident of Lebanon, such applicant must appoint an agent or proxy domiciled within Lebanese territory. In addition, Art. 8.2.b requires that the application include a stamped envelope containing two copies of the abstract of the invention in Arabic. It is also reported that, in order to secure the official filing date of a patent application in Lebanon, the application must include a power of attorney that has been legalised by the Lebanese Consulate abroad and, in addition, locally legalised by the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250413072507/https://economy.gov.lb/public/uploads/files/6061_8660_6573.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20251030212350/https://ip-coster.com/IPGuides/patent-lebanon
- https://web.archive.org/web/20251030214724/https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/lebanon-protecting-intellectual-property
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LEBANON
Since August 2000
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Indicator Practical or legal restrictions related to the application process for patents
Law No. 240/2000 of 7 August 2000, on Patents
قانون رقم 240/2000 بتاريخ 7 أغسطس 2000 بشأن براءات الاختراع
قانون رقم 240/2000 بتاريخ 7 أغسطس 2000 بشأن براءات الاختراع
Art. 9.a of the Patent Law stipulates that the patent application must be submitted in the Arabic language.
Coverage Horizontal
LEBANON
N/A
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Indicator Participation in the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
Lack of participation in the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
Lebanon is not a party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
Coverage Horizontal
LEBANON
Since July 2001, entry into force in July 2001
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Indicator Copyright law with clear exceptions
Law No. 75 of 3 April 1999 on the Protection of Literary and Artistic Property
القانون رقم 75 المؤرخ في 3 أبريل 1999 بشأن حماية الملكية الأدبية والفنية
القانون رقم 75 المؤرخ في 3 أبريل 1999 بشأن حماية الملكية الأدبية والفنية
Lebanon maintains a copyright framework under the Law No. 75 of April 1999. The Act does not adopt an open-ended fair use or fair dealing model. Instead, it establishes a closed list of narrowly defined exceptions, which restricts lawful use to specific, enumerated purposes. Arts. 23-34 set out the complete list of exceptions, which include private reproduction for personal purposes; quotation; reproduction for teaching; reprographic reproduction by libraries and archives; among others.
Coverage Horizontal
IRAQ
N/A
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Framework for consumer protection applicable to online commerce
Lack of comprehensive consumer protection law applicable to online commerce
Iraq lacks a comprehensive consumer protection framework applicable to online transactions. Reports indicate that none of the provisions contained in the existing consumer protection law address e‑commerce or regulate consumer transactions conducted through digital platforms.
Coverage Horizontal
IRAQ
N/A
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Ratification of the UN Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts
Lack of signature of the UN Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts
Iraq has not signed the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts.
Coverage Horizontal
IRAQ
N/A
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce
Lack of adoption of UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce
Iraq has not adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Commerce.
Coverage Horizontal
IRAQ
N/A
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Signatures
Lack of adoption of UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Signatures
Iraq has not adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Signatures.
Coverage Horizontal
IRAQ
N/A
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Threshold for ‘De Minimis’ rule
Lack of de minimis threshold
Iraq does not implement any de minimis threshold, which is the minimum value of goods below which customs do not charge duties.
Coverage Horizontal
